Clinical study of hemifacial spasm treated by microvascular decompression for 55 cases

Objective: The concept of neurovascular decompression for the treatment of hemifacial spasm is widely accepted. In this study we report 55 cases treated with procedure. Methods: 53cases performed microvascular decompression between 2000~2004. Results: After 3 years follow-up 48 patients were spasm-free (92.3%). 4 patients were further spasm (7.4%). 1 patient recurrence after 14 month. Deafness was the main complication appearance in 1 patient (1.8%). Conclusion: It demonstrates this surgical procedure is very low risk, very low recurrence rates and is a definitive treatment for more than 90% of cases.